03.24.12 - Tommy's first birthday party

We celebrated Tommy's first birthday today. The theme was puppies. As always, Angie outdid herself in baking the cake.








Puppy chow snack mixed served in a water dish, of course.


Get the family together and Maddie turns shy and crawls up on Grandma Shepherd's lap. She sulked for awhile.




Those are NOT real dog treats.


Finally, after three years of hosting birthday parties, we finally figured out how to comfortably accommodate everyone in our small living room.


The birthday boy cuddles with Grandpa Greg.


Each kid gets a balloon tied to their dining room chair on their birthday. We were disappointed that Party City no longer carries the giant "1" balloon. We settled for this uninspired cupcake instead.






I think Angie was more excited about the gifts than Tommy was.


We have no idea what sparked this reaction from Gramma Karen and Savannah.


Tommy's much anticipated chair arrived. He'd been pushing Nate's around for the past month or so, which didn't make Nate very happy.


He knows just how it works.

03.02.12 - I love Papa

We had dinner to celebrate Grandpa Shepherd's birthday tonight. Tommy and Nate sported these cool shirts Angie found online.

02.27.12 - Out like a light

Of course, he was wide awake as soon as he was put in his crib.

02.21.12 - Grandma and Grandpa's house

Tommy's been spending a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd lately. They like to play toys about as much as he does.

02.01.12 - Purple, get ready to stroll!

We walked over to get Tommy at Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd's house today since it was so nice out. I can't hardly wait for 9 p.m. sunsets!

01.13.12 - Fightin' over Grandma

Grandma Shepherd came over tonight to put the kids to bed so that Mommy and I could have a date night (grocery shopping) and they immediately flocked to her. Of course, Tommy got her full attention while the other two climbed over each other to get to her.

12.25.11 - Merry Christmas!

Tommy gets a hand from Angie while opening presents after lunch at Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd's house.

12.14.11 - Not napping

I came home early from work today, expecting to find Grandma Shepherd watching TV while Tommy was napping. Instead, I was greeted by this smiley face. Yesterday, he took a two-and-a-half hour nap. Today? About 30 minutes. And as I write this post, he's upstairs with mom, not going to sleep for bedtime.

11.09.11 - C is for Cookie

Tommy and his siblings are hanging out with all the grandparents the next few days while Mom and Dad relax in sunny Florida! Gramma Karen shot this photo tonight while hanging out at Nan and Pop's house.

11.04.11 - Bedtime stories with Grandpa Shepherd

I stopped by Dillons on the way home from work tonight to pick up a dozen eggs but was distracted by a display of 50% off bargain books. I sorted through and found one about a dad and his kids taking truck rides. My father had a blue truck when I was Tommy's age and later had a red one that my brother and I enjoyed taking rides in. So, I had to buy the book. Then, as it turns out, my dad came over tonight and read the book to Tommy at bedtime.

10.27.11 - Another day with Grandma Shepherd

Grandma Shepherd stayed with Tommy today so we could visit K-State with Callie. Although it wasn't her usual day to babysit, neither one really minded all that much.

10.19.11 - Grandpa Shepherd

Nate likes Grandpa Shepherd's truck and Tommy likes sitting on Grandpa Shepherd lap!

09.27.11 - Grandma kisses

Tommy enjoys spending Tuesdays with Grandma Shepherd.

09.09.11 - A doting grandfather

Tommy and Maddie and Nate all like it when Grandpa Shepherd accompanies Grandma Shepherd when she comes to babysit. I think he likes it, too. :)

08.23.11 - Tasty toes

Tommy figured out how to get his toes in his mouth today, or so Grandma Shepherd says. She was here to see it while we were at work. This was the most he would do for us without any encouragement.

07.22.11 - What's so funny, Grandma?

Grandma Shepherd came over tonight to handle bedtime duty so Angie and I could have a date night. Wanna know what Grandma Shepherd is laughing at? Click here or go over to Nate's blog to find out!

07.15.11 - Loungin' with Grandpa Shepherd

My parents came over to watch the kids tonight so Angie and I could go on a long overdue date night. We had dinner at Pei Wei (tell them it's your first visit and get free lettuce wraps!), found new house numbers at Menards, ran into a high school friend and her family at Target and took in a movie at the drive-in. It doesn't matter what the kids did tonight. They were fast asleep when we got home and that's all that matters! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd for taking care of them!

06.23.11 - Smiles for Grandma

Angie had a rough day so after work I loaded up the kids (and Harley) and went to hang out at my parents' house for awhile. Grandma Shepherd held Tommy for awhile after a feeding and managed to get a couple of smiles out of him.

05.16.11 - Grandma Shepherd

Now that Angie's back to work, Tommy gets to hang out with Grandma Shepherd during the day while the other kids are at daycare. She hates it, let me tell you!

04.10.11 - Sleeping baby

Grandma Shepherd came over today to see Tommy. Fortunately she didn't break the No. 1 Rule: Never wake a sleeping baby!